Mid-June will mark the next phase of dredging from East Chicago's harbor, targeting 175,000 cubic yards of sediment. The Army Corps of Engineers says the multi-year project will eventually bring the federal channel to approved navigation depths.

Sediment removal from Los Angeles County's Devil's Gate dam is commencing in a bid to restore the dam's full purpose of controlling stormwaters. The project, delayed for years, will require tens of thousands of truck trips to remove an accumulated 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment.

Facing major erosion throughout the city, La Crosse, Wis., plans to explore ways to address the problem along River Valley Drive beyond the ongoing repair of rock shoots. "I don't think this is just a maintenance issue," said utilities manager Bernard Lenz. "I think we need to look at the design and look at potentially bidding a bigger fix."

Construction crews are preparing to build a concrete wall to help curb erosion under the embankment of the Boone Dam in Tennessee. An onsite batch plant was installed to allow crews to conveniently produce concrete for the project.

El Paso, Texas, is addressing years of erosion at a collection basin along North Mesa Hills Drive in the dry spring months in preparation for heavy summer rains. Capacity-limiting silt is being removed and rip rap placed to prevent further erosion.

A Maryland company has raised $650,000 from investors to develop a permeable paving system that aims to avoid draining stormwater into the water system, instead filtering it into the soil underneath the road. The PaverGuide system, made of recycled plastic, would serve as a substitute for the more commonly used stone base.

Burlington, Vt., is partnering with Audubon Vermont, the University of Vermont and hundreds of local volunteers on a project that aims to plant 1,500 trees this season in an effort to restore and protect natural areas.

The Environmental Protection Agency has increased its commitment to reduce permitting delays for environmental infrastructure projects, according to Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "I'm not suggesting that we approve all permits within a set amount of time, but I am suggesting that we make a decision, yes or no, within a set amount of time," Wheeler said.

Oklahoma is becoming the first state to be given full authority to regulate coal ash sites as the Trump administration shifts enforcement authority from the Environmental Protection Agency. The policy is justified by the notion that local authorities will be better enforcers, but critics contend there's a risk local officials will not act.

A growing number of foreign students are joining researchers in China to study various greening projects as part of China's commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change. "China has a lot to offer in terms of lessons, for example, on how the government set up policies to address the issue of pollution," says the United Nations Environment Programme's Joyce Msuya.

Abstracts are due Friday, May 31, to speak at the 2020 IECA Annual Conference, February 23-26, 2020 in Raleigh, N.C. Get recognized as an industry thought leader, get exposure to your work, and share your insights with peers to help make advancements in the industry. Submit your abstract today!

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it.

Sam Levenson, humorist

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About IECA

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is the world's oldest and largest non-profit, member organization that provides education, resource information and business opportunities for professionals who specialize in natural resource protection. For more information about IECA, please visit www.ieca.org.